Crickets to Cha-Chings

Latest Episodes:

174. The Get Legit Toolkit and Bookkeeping 101 with Janet of Paper and Spark Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Julie Berninger and Janet LeBlanc of Paper and Spark discuss the steps to take when starting an Etsy shop from a CPA's perspective. They cover topics such as understanding the difference between a business and a hobby, obtaining a DBA permit, opening a business bank account, and the importance of bookkeeping. They also touch on the issue of Etsy shop suspensions and the need for proper tax ID information. The conversation emphasizes the importance of treating an Etsy shop as a business and making informed decisions based on accurate financial data. This is not legal or tax advice. Please obtain your own professionals.

Resources:

Janet's Etsy Seller Spreadsheet

Janet's Get Legit Toolkit Course training

**we are affiliates for both products

Takeaways:

Before starting an Etsy shop, it's important to understand the difference between a business and a hobby, as well as the legal requirements for running a business.
Obtaining a DBA permit (Doing Business As) is often necessary for running an Etsy shop under a name different from your own legal name.
Opening a business bank account can make bookkeeping and tax filing easier, even if it's not legally required.
Proper bookkeeping is crucial for tracking expenses, understanding profitability, and making informed business decisions.
It's important to provide accurate tax ID information to Etsy, and to keep track of all business-related transactions for tax purposes.
Etsy shop suspensions can occur for various reasons, and it's important to understand and comply with Etsy's policies to avoid suspension.
Sellers should be aware of their tax responsibilities, including sales tax and income tax.
Janet LeBlanc's GetLegit Toolkit is a valuable resource for product sellers to navigate their financial responsibilities.

Learn more about Gold City Ventures and Crickets to Cha-Chings: https://goldcityventures.com/

Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0K-1qYQTpVo

173. Your Trademark and Copyright Questions Answered by an IP Lawyer Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

Laura Winston, Principal and Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Offit Kurman, answers your questions on common trademark and copyright issues Etsy sellers face.

Note: This is not legal advice. Please review your own situation with professionals.

Questions covered:

How do I search on the USPTO web site and understand the results?
Is the word FRIENDSGIVING trademarked?
Can I use a song title on a t shirt or baby shower bundle of products?
What about song lyrics?
How about an illustration of a famous pop star?
Is parody on a song title allowed? What about a t-shirt that says "In my Swiftie era"?
Trivia games – can you use the names of songs? Artists? Candies?
Can you use a picture of a candy to show how a printable works with that candy?
Can you sell reproductions of vintage art?
Let's talk about Winnie the Pooh. Can I use this image in my product?
Can I copyright my printable?
What if something is trademarked in one country and I live in a different country?
Someone copied my printable…but it doesn't look like it exactly…what do I do?
Should I be using legal templates that I can purchase on the internet?
How can I be sure an artwork is in the public domain?

If listeners need further advice on trademark and copyright issues, they can contact Laura at lwinston@offitkurman.com or connect on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurawinston/

Watch the Episode on YouTube here

Learn more about Gold City Ventures

172. Etsy Marketplace Insights 2024 Spring and Summer Trends Report May 06, 2024

Show notes

Etsy put out a spring/summer trend report and Julie reviews it in this episode of the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast.

Here are some snippets of trending keyword searches according to Etsy in case you don't have time to read the report:

+266% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for divorce gifts or items
+351% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for cozy home items
+465% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for host or hostess gifts
+2,159% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for lawn games
+105% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for wildflower art
+50% YoY increase in searches on Etsy for pickleball gifts

We're also seeing major vibes for western and pasta night here.

You may be like "eh, my product doesn't fit in these trends" but I would encourage you to think a little deeper about how you can incorporate trending ideas into the product that you already make.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R5wfzV7pQoQ

Etsy Marketplace Report: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1255437605579?ref=handbook

Watch our free workshop at: https://goldcityventures.com/

171. Start a Niche Subscription Business for Printables: Live Coaching Call Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

In this live episode of the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast, Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison discuss strategies for growing an Etsy business off of the platform. They provide guidance to Naomi, an Etsy seller selling printables, on how to expand her business and reach a wider audience. The conversation covers topics such as building an email list, repurposing content for social media, and creating YouTube videos. They emphasize the importance of niching down and finding the right platforms to connect with the target audience. The hosts also highlight the need for traffic generation and suggest exploring Facebook groups as a potential avenue for growth. In this conversation, Julie and Sasha discuss the importance of trying new things and not being afraid to fail in business. They also explore the target audience for Naomi's products, including Sunday school teachers, camp directors, and homeschooling parents. They emphasize the need to understand the specific needs and interests of these target customers in order to create relevant and valuable products. The conversation also touches on the potential for affiliate marketing and the importance of staying focused on the core topic of the business.

Gold City Ventures Beyond Program: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/

Takeaways

Building an email list is crucial for growing an Etsy business off of the platform.
Repurposing content for social media can help save time and reach a wider audience.
Creating YouTube videos can be an effective way to showcase products and attract customers.
Niching down and finding the right platforms to connect with the target audience is essential for business growth.
Generating traffic is a challenge for Etsy sellers, and exploring Facebook groups can be a potential solution. Don't be afraid to try new things in your business and allow yourself to fail.
Understand the specific needs and interests of your target audience to create relevant and valuable products.
Consider the potential for affiliate marketing to promote complementary products to your target audience.
Stay focused on the core topic of your business to avoid confusing or losing your audience.

170. 4 Business Ideas: 60min Live Q&A with Julie Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

If you missed our Live Q&A, here is the replay on YouTube.

Julie broke down 4 business ideas and how they would work off Etsy 1) subscription book box, 2) beauty professional templates 3) seasonal printables for kids monthly subscription and 4) a blog for dog lovers. She also screenshared what Beyond looks like and the prizes you get with purchase. Special pricing ends April 30th at 11:59PM ET.

Resources: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/

169. When Your Competitor is a Bigger Brand .. Do This! Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Julie and Sasha of Gold City Ventures and Kennedy of Our Friendly World discuss growing a business off of Etsy. They talk about competitor analysis and the importance of understanding your customers and competitors. They specifically discuss what to do when your competitor is a bigger brand than you and was on Shark Tank! They also discuss the potential for collaborations and sponsorships, as well as the role of video content in driving traffic and engagement. The conversation highlights the importance of repurposing content and experimenting with different platforms to reach your target audience. Links: Kennedy's Business Our Friendly World: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ourfriendlyworld Gold City Ventures Beyond Program: https://goldcityventures.com/beyond/ This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TU_L6OaA5UQ In this conversation, Julie and Sasha also discuss various strategies for driving traffic and generating leads for a handmade crochet kit business. They emphasize the importance of understanding the customer journey and tailoring content to different stages of the sales funnel. They also discuss the potential of affiliate marketing, building an email list, and outsourcing tasks to save time. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of collaboration and networking within the crafting community. Takeaways

Understanding your customers and competitors through competitor analysis is crucial for growing your business off of Etsy.
Collaborations and sponsorships can be effective ways to expand your reach and attract new customers.
Video content is a powerful tool for driving traffic and engagement, and it can be repurposed across different platforms.
Experimenting with different platforms and strategies is important to find what works best for your business. Understand the customer journey and tailor content to different stages of the sales funnel
Consider affiliate marketing as a way to leverage the networks of others to promote your products
Build an email list to capture leads and nurture relationships with potential customers
Outsource tasks to save time and focus on high-value activities
Collaborate and network within the crafting community to expand your reach and opportunities

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:00 Competitor Analysis and Insights 04:06 Understanding the Woobles and Differentiating Your Products 09:06 Taking Advantage of Competitors and Building the Market 12:24 Repurposing Content and Driving Traffic with Video 15:18 Exploring Collaborations and Sponsorships 22:16 The Role of Video Content in Attracting Customers 25:49 Experimenting with Different Platforms and Strategies 28:03 Understanding the Customer Journey and Tailoring Content 35:24 The Potential of Affiliate Marketing and Building an Email List 45:32 Outsourcing Tasks to Save Time and Focus on High-Value Activities 52:07 Creating Efficient Workflows and Maximizing ROI 58:22 Collaborating and Networking within the Crafting Community

168. How a Niche Printable Shop Grows Beyond Etsy Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison of Gold City Ventures interview Jenny, an Etsy seller who sells printables. They discuss Jenny's journey from selling physical products to focusing on printables, specifically in the golf niche. They explore the potential for Jenny to expand her business beyond Etsy by creating a lifestyle brand and leveraging social media. They also discuss the importance of custom and personalized products and the potential for affiliate marketing. The conversation provides valuable insights and ideas for Jenny to grow her business. In this conversation, Julie and Sasha discuss different strategies for monetizing an Etsy shop that sells golf-themed products. They explore options such as affiliate marketing, creating video content, and targeting specific niches within the golf community. They also discuss the importance of understanding the target audience and their preferences. The conversation ends with rapid-fire ideas for expanding the product offerings and leveraging affiliate marketing.

This is another coaching call-style podcast and there will be two more following in the series!

They discuss:

The customer journey of people searching for niche printables
Why picking a niche once you start selling off Etsy is the way to go
Where Etsy sellers posting on social are messing up
What to post on social media to attract your ideal customer
Ways to monetize with YouTube and affiliate marketing by performing product reviews
How the Gold City Ventures team can improve their new offering Beyond
& more!

Stay tuned to learn more about Beyond which launches mid-month to the Gold City Ventures community!

Resources:

Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3VCSKIx5bUM

🌟 Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com 🌟

167. Grow Your Personal Brand off Etsy with Amber (metaphysical jewelry seller) Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Amber sells metaphysical and celestial-inspired jewelry on Etsy. She wants to grow her business so she can leave her full-time job. This episode is a casual live coaching call for the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast with Julie Berninger and Sasha Hutchison of Gold City Ventures.

They discuss what they each outsource both in their business and their home, how to create social media content if you don't have the time, keywords that are hot in the metaphysical space, building your personal brand, growing your email list if you sell in person, and more.

Resources:

Gilded Butterfly Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gildedbutterflyshop

E-Printables Course: https://goldcityventures.com/e-printables-course/

Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2IYLYb-NEG4

^^ The E-Printables Course is open for enrollment until Monday 4/1 at Midnight!

🌟 Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com 🌟

166. How to Increase Sales in a Crochet Kit Etsy Shop Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures chats with Kennedy of Our Friendly World Etsy shop. Kennedy sells crochet kits, crochet patterns, and finished crochet products. This episode is in a casual live coaching call style for the Crickets to Cha-Chings podcast.

They discuss how to interpret keyword research from tools such as eRank, ideas for monetizing a blog with display advertising, Etsy ads, & more!

Resources:

Our Friendly World: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ourfriendlyworld

Our Friendly World Website: https://ourfriendlyworldcrochet.com/

E-Printables Course: https://goldcityventures.com/e-printables-course/

Gold City Ventures YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/qIc90wmEgLQ

🌟 For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! 🌟 Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com

165. New Etsy Gift Mode, Email Marketing, and Tik Tok Shop Jan 28, 2024

Show notes

Etsy Gift Mode presents a huge opportunity for Etsy sellers. Julie Berninger of Gold City Ventures explains this new shopping experience and how to change your shop sections, pictures, and tags to take advantage of it. She also covers the Etsy email marketing policy change and TikTok shop.

Topics covered in this episode:

1 - Etsy Gift Mode

2 - Etsy Email Marketing policy change

3 - Tik Tok Shop

Resources:

Gift mode article: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1232461378911?ref=handbook

Gold City Ventures YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/goldcityventures

🌟 For More Insider Tips & Strategies on E-Commerce Success! 🌟 Learn more about Gold City Ventures -- https://goldcityventures.com